Optical modulator

Abstract

An optical modulator in which an optical signal is input from one side of a package, includes in the package, a chip that optically modulates the optical signal and in which an input waveguide and an output waveguide of the optical signal are led to mutually different destinations each being one end of the chip facing the one side of the package and a side surface of the chip orthogonal to the one end of the chip; an input optical system coupled to the input waveguide of the chip; and an output optical system coupled to the output waveguide of the chip.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An optical modulator in which an optical signal is input and output from one side of a package, the optical modulator comprising:
 in the package,
 a chip that optically modulates an optical signal and in which an input waveguide and an output waveguide of the optical signal are led to mutually different destinations; 
 an input optical system coupled to the input waveguide of the chip; and 
 an output optical system coupled to the output waveguide of the chip, 
 
 wherein
 the input waveguide is led from one end of the chip facing the one side of the package, and the output waveguide is led to an other end of the chip facing a side orthogonal to the one end of the chip in a plan view, 
 the input optical system is provided between the one side of the package and the one end of the chip such that the optical signal input from the one side of the package is input to the input waveguide through the input optical system, and 
 the output optical system is disposed along the other end of the chip such that the optical signal output from the chip is output from the one side of the package through the output optical system. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The optical modulator according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the input waveguide or the output waveguide led to the other end of the chip is bent midway in a direction orthogonal to the other end. 
 
     
     
       3. The optical modulator according to  claim 1 , further comprising
 a fixture provided in the chip, covering a region of the chip where the input waveguide and the output waveguide are formed. 
 
     
     
       4. The optical modulator according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the input waveguide has a single waveguide, and the output waveguide includes two waveguides corresponding to different polarizations, and 
 the output optical system includes an optical path changing element that changes an optical path to an orthogonal direction, a polarization rotating element, and a polarization coupling element. 
 
     
     
       5. The optical modulator according to  claim 4 , wherein
 the optical path changing element and the polarization coupling element of the input optical system are formed by a single component. 
 
     
     
       6. The optical modulator according to  claim 4 , wherein
 the output optical system has an array of two lenses corresponding to the two waveguides. 
 
     
     
       7. The optical modulator according to  claim 4 , wherein
 the input optical system has only one lens. 
 
     
     
       8. The optical modulator according to  claim 4 , wherein
 the input optical system is configured having an optical fiber joined directly to the input waveguide of the chip. 
 
     
     
       9. The optical modulator according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the chip contains lithium niobate. 
 
     
     
       10. The optical modulator according to  claim 9 , wherein
 the chip is a thin-film LN structure containing the lithium niobate. 
 
     
     
       11. The optical modulator according to  claim 1 , wherein
 a portion of a plurality of optical components of at least one of the input optical system and the output optical system is disposed in an optical fiber boot of an optical fiber provided at the one side of the package. 
 
     
     
       12. A manufacturing method of the optical modulator according to  claim 1 , the manufacturing method comprising:
 arranging a plurality of chips in a matrix-shape on a wafer; 
 forming the input waveguide and the output waveguide at respective ends of the plurality of chips; 
 joining a fixture to surfaces of the plurality of chips, the fixture connecting the input waveguide and the output waveguide formed at the respective ends; and 
 dicing and separating the wafer according to regions of the plurality of chips. 
 
     
     
       13. An optical modulator in which an optical signal is input and output from one side of a package, the optical modulator comprising:
 in the package,
 a chip that optically modulates an optical signal and in which an input waveguide and an output waveguide of the optical signal are led to mutually different destinations; 
 an input optical system coupled to the input waveguide of the chip; and 
 an output optical system coupled to the output waveguide of the chip, 
 
 wherein
 the output waveguide is led from one end of the chip facing the one side of the package, and the input waveguide is led to an other end of the chip facing a side orthogonal to the one end of the chip in a plan view, 
 the output optical system is provided between the one side of the package and the one end of the chip such that the optical signal output from the chip is output from the one side of the package through the output optical system, and 
 the input optical system is disposed along the other end of the chip such that the optical signal input from the one side of the package is input to the input waveguide through the input optical system. 
 
 
     
     
       14. The optical modulator according to  claim 13 , wherein
 the input waveguide has a single waveguide, and the output waveguide includes two waveguides corresponding to different polarization, 
 the input optical system includes an optical path changing element that changes an optical path to an orthogonal direction, and 
 the output optical system includes a polarization rotating element and a polarization coupling element. 
 
     
     
       15. The optical modulator according to  claim 14 , wherein
 the output optical system has an array of two lenses corresponding to the two waveguides. 
 
     
     
       16. The optical modulator according to  claim 14 , wherein
 the optical path changing element and a lens of the input optical system are formed by a single component. 
 
     
     
       17. The optical modulator according to  claim 14 , wherein
 the input optical system is configured having an optical fiber joined directly to the optical path changing element and the optical path changing element joined directly to the input waveguide of the chip.